UK to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16

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London: The British government has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, citing growing concerns over online safety and the impact of addictive digital content on young people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the proposed restrictions would apply to platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and X, though messaging services such as WhatsApp would be exempt. The government aims to pass the legislation by the end of December, with the ban expected to take effect next spring.

The proposal is part of a broader push to strengthen protections for children online. Authorities are also considering measures such as overnight curfews, mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling and tighter rules for gaming and live-streaming platforms that allow contact between children and strangers. Further details are expected next month.

The move follows a public consultation that drew more than 116,000 responses, with a large majority of parents supporting a minimum social media age of 16. The government said technology companies have a 'moral responsibility' to protect children from online harms, including abuse and exploitation.

The plans have drawn criticism from YouTube, which warned that a blanket ban could unintentionally drive children towards "less safe services" that may offer fewer safeguards and moderation tools.

Britain's proposals mirror similar efforts in countries such as Australia, Indonesia and Canada, where governments have sought stricter controls on children's access to social media and other digital services.

The proposed measures mark one of the UK's most significant attempts yet to reshape the online environment for children amid increasing concerns about the effects of social media on mental health and safety.

Pic Credit: AFP